2006– 2009
MUSCONETCONG WATERSHED PROTECTION & RESTORATION
PLAN (HAMPTON TO BETHLEHEM)
North Jersey Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D), Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE)
Water Resources Program, and the Musconetcong Watershed Association have been contracted by the
State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Watershed Management to
evaluate the potential pollution sources within this watershed. This effort includes determining the
sources of fecal coliform, and other pollutants that are contributing to the river’s failing water quality
and designing a plan for the watershed so that water quality standards may once again be met in the
Musconetcong River. In beginning this effort, the project partners will conduct stream visual
assessments of the river. The Musconetcong River and its tributaries will be evaluated based on the
following physical characteristics – channel stability, access to floodplain, water appearance, nutrient
enrichment, riparian buffer, and habitat availability. The process of characterizing a river based on
these physical properties allows the river’s morphology to be numerically rated, and therefore, easily
sorted and organized. Data collected during this assessment will document existing stream conditions,
define a baseline for future restoration efforts, and support our water quality monitoring effort in the
Musconetcong Watershed. Guidance for this work is provided by the US Department of Agricultural
(USDA) Stream Visual Assessment Protocol (SVAP). This protocol has been modified by the RCE
Water Resources Program to better suit New Jersey water systems.
The Musconetcong River begins in Morris County
and flows through Sussex and Morris Counties to
Warren and Hunterdon Counties, where it
discharges to the Delaware River. The entire
Musconetcong River Watershed is 156 square
miles. The lower portion of this river system has
been designated as a priority for protection and
restoration by the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The
Musconetcong Watershed priority segment extends
from Route 31 in Hampton, beginning at the
monitoring station AN0072, and concludes at the
US Geological Survey (USGS) Station near
Bloomsbury, 01457000. This subwatershed area is
approximately 19.6 square miles in size and includes Lebanon Township, Hampton Borough and
Bethlehem Township in Hunterdon County and Franklin and Washington Townships in Warren County.
The Musconetcong River at the Route 31 USGS monitoring station is currently identified as not meeting
surface water quality standards for aquatic life and at the downstream monitoring station near
Bloomsbury has also been identified as not meeting water quality standards for fecal coliform and pH.
For more information about this project, please contact Grace Messinger of the North Jersey RC&D
at (908) 735-0733 x110, Katie Buckley of the RCE, Water Resources Program at
(732) 932-9011, or Beth Barry of the Musconetcong Watershed Association at (908) 537-7060.
More information will soon be available at www.northjerseyrcd.org and www.water.rutgers.edu
Additionally, this project will include chemical and biological sampling of the Musconetcong River.
Together, the collected data will aid in characterizing water quality and in identifying specific
sources of pollutants impairing this river system. The project partners have communicated this effort
with the five municipalities in the project area and will set up an Advisory Committee to guide this
process. The final plan will define projects with the most cost-benefit advantage that will restore
water quality to the Musconetcong River when implemented. The Watershed Restoration Plan will
include Best Management Practices, both structural and nonstructural, that can be used to repair this
ecosystem. Guidance from landowners in the watershed and support from the municipalities will
ensure that the projects defined for this area are both welcomed by the community and in support of
our common goal, an improved Musconetcong River.
2006– 2009
MUSCONETCONG WATERSHED PROTECTION & RESTORATION
PLAN (HAMPTON TO BETHLEHEM)
Project Description January 30 2007

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2006– 2009
MUSCONETCONG WATERSHED PROTECTION & RESTORATION
PLAN (HAMPTON TO BETHLEHEM)
North Jersey Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D), Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE)
Water Resources Program, and the Musconetcong Watershed Association have been contracted by the
State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Watershed Management to
evaluate the potential pollution sources within this watershed. This effort includes determining the
sources of fecal coliform, and other pollutants that are contributing to the river’s failing water quality
and designing a plan for the watershed so that water quality standards may once again be met in the
Musconetcong River. In beginning this effort, the project partners will conduct stream visual
assessments of the river. The Musconetcong River and its tributaries will be evaluated based on the
following physical characteristics – channel stability, access to floodplain, water appearance, nutrient
enrichment, riparian buffer, and habitat availability. The process of characterizing a river based on
these physical properties allows the river’s morphology to be numerically rated, and therefore, easily
sorted and organized. Data collected during this assessment will document existing stream conditions,
define a baseline for future restoration efforts, and support our water quality monitoring effort in the
Musconetcong Watershed. Guidance for this work is provided by the US Department of Agricultural
(USDA) Stream Visual Assessment Protocol (SVAP). This protocol has been modified by the RCE
Water Resources Program to better suit New Jersey water systems.
The Musconetcong River begins in Morris County
and flows through Sussex and Morris Counties to
Warren and Hunterdon Counties, where it
discharges to the Delaware River. The entire
Musconetcong River Watershed is 156 square
miles. The lower portion of this river system has
been designated as a priority for protection and
restoration by the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The
Musconetcong Watershed priority segment extends
from Route 31 in Hampton, beginning at the
monitoring station AN0072, and concludes at the
US Geological Survey (USGS) Station near
Bloomsbury, 01457000. This subwatershed area is
approximately 19.6 square miles in size and includes Lebanon Township, Hampton Borough and
Bethlehem Township in Hunterdon County and Franklin and Washington Townships in Warren County.
The Musconetcong River at the Route 31 USGS monitoring station is currently identified as not meeting
surface water quality standards for aquatic life and at the downstream monitoring station near
Bloomsbury has also been identified as not meeting water quality standards for fecal coliform and pH.
For more information about this project, please contact Grace Messinger of the North Jersey RC&D
at (908) 735-0733 x110, Katie Buckley of the RCE, Water Resources Program at
(732) 932-9011, or Beth Barry of the Musconetcong Watershed Association at (908) 537-7060.
More information will soon be available at www.northjerseyrcd.org and www.water.rutgers.edu
Additionally, this project will include chemical and biological sampling of the Musconetcong River.
Together, the collected data will aid in characterizing water quality and in identifying specific
sources of pollutants impairing this river system. The project partners have communicated this effort
with the five municipalities in the project area and will set up an Advisory Committee to guide this
process. The final plan will define projects with the most cost-benefit advantage that will restore
water quality to the Musconetcong River when implemented. The Watershed Restoration Plan will
include Best Management Practices, both structural and nonstructural, that can be used to repair this
ecosystem. Guidance from landowners in the watershed and support from the municipalities will
ensure that the projects defined for this area are both welcomed by the community and in support of
our common goal, an improved Musconetcong River.
2006– 2009
MUSCONETCONG WATERSHED PROTECTION & RESTORATION
PLAN (HAMPTON TO BETHLEHEM)
Project Description January 30 2007